Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Control Division Drug & Chemical Evaluation Section

Anabolic Steroids (Street Names: Arnolds, Gym Candy, Pumpers, Roids, Stackers, Weight Trainers, Gear, and Juice)

October 2018 DEA/DC/DP/DPE Introduction: In the 2012 Monitoring the Future (MTF) study, which Anabolic steroids are a class of drugs with a basic steroid surveys eighth, tenth, and twelfth grade students, 1.2%, of eighth ring structure that produce anabolic effects and androgenic graders, 1.3% of tenth graders, and 1.8% of twelfth graders effects. Athletes, bodybuilders, and others abuse anabolic reported using steroids at least once in their lifetimes. Regarding steroids with the intent to improve athletic performance, muscle the ease by which steroids can be obtained, 12.5% of eighth strength, and appearance. graders, 18.0% of tenth graders, and 25.0% of twelfth graders reported in 2012 that steroids were “fairly easy” or “very easy” to Licit Uses: obtain. By 2017, use is now down from recent peak levels by In the U.S., only a small number of anabolic steroids are about two thirds among 8th and 10th graders, and about six approved for either human or animal use. Testosterone and tenths among 12th graders. According to the MTF, the several of its esters, as well as methyltestosterone, nandrolone ‘perceived availability of steroids’ was relatively high prior to decanoate, and oxandrolone are the main anabolic steroids 2001 or 2002, but it has declined appreciably at all grades currently prescribed in the U.S. Some of the approved medical through 2017 reaching the lowest levels recorded by the study. A uses include the treatment of testosterone deficiency, delayed number of steroids have been scheduled by the DEA, no doubt puberty, anemia, breast cancer, and tissue wasting resulting contributing to the drop in availability. from AIDS. Trenbolone, boldenone and mibolerone are used only in veterinary medicine. Illicit Distribution: Anabolic steroids are available as injectable preparations, tablets and capsules, and gels and creams. Most anabolic Chemistry and Pharmacology: steroids sold illegally in the U.S. come from abroad. The Internet Most anabolic steroids are synthetically manufactured is the most widely used means of buying and selling anabolic variations of testosterone. No anabolic steroid is devoid of steroids. However, there is also evidence of diversion through androgenic effects. Activation of androgen receptors in various unscrupulous pharmacists, doctors, and veterinarians. cells and tissues primarily mediate the anabolic and androgenic New steroids, which have not undergone safety or efficacy effects. The anabolic effects include the growth of skeletal and testing in the U.S., have appeared over the years. Some of cardiac muscle, bone, and red blood cells, whereas the these “designer steroids” were supplied to athletes to avoid drug androgenic effects include the development of male secondary testing detection. Commercially available dietary supplements sexual characteristics. are sold purporting to contain novel anabolic steroids. These The adverse effects associated with anabolic steroids are products, which are advertised to build muscle and increase dependent on the age of the user, the sex of the user, the strength, are readily available on the Internet. anabolic steroid used, the amount used, and the duration of use. The National Forensic Laboratory Information System In adolescents, use can permanently stunt growth. In women, (NFLIS) and System to Retrieve Information from Drug Evidence use can induce permanent physical changes including (STRIDE) integrated into STARLiMS, a web-based, deepening of the voice, increased facial and body hair growth, commercial laboratory information management system, and the lengthening of the clitoris. In men, use can cause since October 1, 2014 which has replaced STRIDE indicate shrinkage of the testicles, enlargement of the male breast tissue, that testosterone, trenbolone, methandrostenolone, and and sterility. Anabolic steroid use can damage the liver and can stanozolol continue to be the four most frequently encountered cause an increase in cholesterol levels. Anabolic steroid use steroids by the federal, state, and local forensic laboratories. In can also induce psychological effects such as aggression, 2017, there were 1,951 exhibits identified as testosterone, 542 increased feelings of hostility, psychological dependence, and exhibits identified as trenbolone, 245 exhibits identified as addiction. Upon abrupt termination of long term anabolic steroid methandrostenolone, and 233 identified as stanozolol. In the use, abusers may experience withdrawal symptoms including first two quarters of 2018, there were 117 exhibits, 29 exhibits, severe depression. 19 exhibits and 9 exhibits identified as testosterone, trenbolone, methandrostenolone, and stanozolol, respectively. Illicit Uses: Anabolic steroids are abused with the intent to enhance Control Status: athletic performance, increase muscle strength, and improve By enacting the Anabolic Steroid Control Acts of 1990 and appearance. The doses used are often 10 to 100 times higher 2004, Congress placed a total of 59 anabolic steroids in than the doses used to treat medical conditions. Users typically Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. The salts, esters, take two or more anabolic steroids at the same time in a cyclic and ethers of these 59 anabolic steroids are also controlled. manner believing that this will improve their effectiveness and Congress provided a definition to administratively classify minimize the adverse effects. Anabolic steroid abuse is often additional steroids as Schedule III anabolic steroids. accompanied by the use of other drugs. Comments and additional information are welcomed by the Office User Population: of Diversion Control, Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section. Anabolic steroids are abused by professional, amateur, Fax 202-353-1263, Telephone 202-307-7183, or Email recreational athletes, and bodybuilders. Adolescents and young [email protected]. adults in the general population also abuse steroids for its muscle growth effects.